He was often largely responsible for undertaking administration and advocacy activities for maritime issues in the Lake Macquarie area.

His passion and unselfish commitment to improving facilities for the boaters of Lake Macquarie deserved to be recognised.

Matthew O’Grady and Con Sakoulas were recognised for their extraordinary rescue efforts in a boating tragedy on Sydney Harbour last March.

Matthew (39) of Umina and Con (41) of Russell Lea - were each awarded a NSW Maritime Safety Medal for their extraordinary efforts in rescuing people involved in the collision of the Merinda and the Pam Burridge on 28 March, 2007.

Matthew, a General Purpose Hand, and Con, a ferry Engineer were aboard the Sydney Ferry Fishburn which came directly to assist at the scene of the incident. They did not think twice before repeatedly entering the water and doing all they could to assist in the rescue effort.

They were integral in the recovery effort of survivors.

They demonstrated the sort of selfless commitment to help others that epitomises the maritime, and for that matter Australian, tradition of providing assistance to those in need.

Shoalhaven Marine Rescue were recognised as a group. There are more than 100 dedicated volunteers who make up the Shoalhaven Marine Rescue Association (SMRA) and the Maritime Safety Medal was presented in recognition of their collective efforts in search and rescue on the south coast.

The volunteer marine rescue group has been operating for more than 30 years and has been responsible for saving countless lives and boats at sea.

The group’s core business is to provide marine search and rescue services to the northern part of the Shoalhaven and 15 nautical miles out to sea – from Jervis Bay to Kiama.

The list of rescues that have been successfully carried out and lives saved thanks to the Association is more than impressive and the individual incidents are too numerous to detail.

The last award was a post-humous one and went to the late Ron Isaacs. Ron of Lake Cathie was recognised for his 50-year commitment to the NSW maritime community.

Ron first became involved in marine rescue in the 1960s, starting out in the Wollongong/ Coalcliff area, and then later on the North Coast.

He was directly involved as a rescue boat skipper on ten or more rescues and on land he coordinated a number of (seven) mayday situations.

As his health deteriorated Ron became more involved in the organising side of marine rescue, with positions on numerous local and state rescue committee or boards.

Ron continued to volunteer his time until he passed away on April 30 last year.